Storage Container for Infant Cleaning Toiletries

ABSTRACT

An infant toiletry storage container, the container comprising at least two storage compartments, the compartments having a cover, wherein the storage compartments are accessible and releasably sealable using a single-handed release mechanism to open the cover. The storage container comprises a combination of at least any two of the following: wet-wipes, infant lotion, infant cream, diapers, diaper disposal packets, hygiene solution or pacifier.

The present invention relates to a storage container for infant cleaningtoiletries containing at least two such toiletries.

BACKGROUND

Infant toiletries traditionally comprise a number of different productswhich are required for both cleaning and conditioning the infant. Theseinclude wet tissues known as wet-wipes, various types of creams andlotions, disinfectant solutions, diapers and diaper disposal packets.

When changing the diaper of an infant, several of the aforementionedproducts are required simultaneously such as wet-wipes, moisturizinglotion and a new diaper. Dispensing or obtaining these products, as thecase may be, is usually done with one hand by the person changing thediaper as the other hand is required for securing the infant. At suchtimes it is often difficult, if not traumatic, for the changer tocomplete the task in the most expeditious and simplest manner. Thisdifficulty is further exacerbated by the infant crying and requiring abottle further distressing the changer.

Typically, even in the event that an infant has a changing area with allthe required toiletries set-up for the changer, these toiletries need tobe accessed individually by the changer for example, opening a tube ofcream; opening a packet of wet-wipes and removing them; and taking a newdiaper from its storage packet. Often however, the required toiletriesare scattered and the task of accessing them is thereby made moredifficult. In cases, where the infant is travelling and requires adiaper change in an environment not having all the toiletries laidout—this problem is further exacerbated. This scenario often results inthe changer frantically searching or all the required toiletries, layingthem out an accessing them. The use of one-handed lotion dispensers doesalleviate some of the abovementioned problems, however they are notsuitable for travel as the contents are easily dispensed which wouldspill into the infant toiletry bag.

It is an object of the invention to at least partially ameliorate theabovementioned disadvantages associated with locating and accessinginfant changing toiletries. In particular, the invention seeks tofacilitate a one-handed accessing of numerous toiletries, which are in asecure storage condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an infant toiletrystorage container, the container comprising at least two storagecompartments, the compartments having a cover, wherein the storagecompartments are accessible and releasably sealable using asingle-handed release mechanism to open the cover.

Preferably each compartment comprises a separate cover, which isindependently accessible and releasably sealable. The user may therebyelect to only use selected products stored therein.

Preferably the compartments are substantially watertight when the coveris in a closed position thereby preventing liquid contents fromevaporating from or spilling out of the compartments and foreigncontaminants entering the compartments during storage.

Preferably the compartments are releasably sealable, wherein the coverand the compartment releasably engage by any one of a press-releasemeans, a snap-fit means, or a biasing means. In the case of thepress-release means, the user simply presses a locking means to releasethe cover, which may subsequently be lifted by the user. In the case ofthe snap-fit means, the user applies an upward lifting force on thecover while simultaneously applying a downward force with another partof his hand on to the container. In the case of a biasing means, thecover may be biased to either the open or closed position and have anobstructing means to maintain it in the position opposite to the relaxedposition.

Preferably the container is used by placing a disposable toiletrycontainer within each of the compartments, the cover of such disposablecontainers thereafter being removed for access of its contents. Theintegrity of the contents is maintained due to the substantiallywater-tight seal of the storage container. Once the toiletries areconsumed, the disposable container is replaced.

Conveniently the storage container comprises a combination of at leastany two of the following: wet-wipes, infant lotion, infant cream,diapers, diaper disposal packets, hygiene solution or pacifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an infant toiletry storage containerof the invention in an exploded condition;

FIG. 2 is an underside perspective view of the infant toiletry storagecontainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of a top portion of the infanttoiletry storage container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the infanttoiletry storage container; and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the infant toiletry storagecontainer of FIG. 4 in an open condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, 5 show an infant toiletry storage container 10 of theinvention. The container comprises a housing having a base portion 12and a top portion 14 releasably secured thereover. The top portioncomprises a recess defining a first compartment 16 and the remainingcavity in the container defining the second compartment. An aperture 18provides access to the second compartment when the top portion and thebase portion are engaged. Both the first and second compartments have acover 20 which is hingedly attached proximal to a longitudinal perimeterof the top portion. The hinges are in additional biased to the openposition by means of a resiliently deformable hinge assembly (notshown).

The covers releasably engage the compartment with a snap-fit securingmeans. The compartments have a recessed section 22 to enable the user toinsert a finger underneath the cover and between the compartment,thereby forcing the cover open, in use. The hinges thereafter bias thecover to the open position for access of the contents by the user. Whenthe user has finished using the toiletries, he simply pushes andsnap-fits the cover to the closed position. In doing so the contents ofthe storage container remain in the intended condition withoutevaporation or spilling. Further, unwanted contaminants do not enter thecompartments when the toiletries are not being used.

In use, a disposable container of cream (not shown) is inserted into thefirst compartment and a packet of wet-wipes is inserted into the secondcompartment. In the case of the cream container, the lid is removed andin the case of the wet-wipes, a peel-tab seal is removed. The contentsof the cream container and wet-wipes packet are therefore readilyavailable to a user once the cover is open. Once closed however, thefirst and second container are sealed to prevent the contents fromescaping. The compartments are separate from one another.

FIG. 2 shows an underside perspective view of the storage container ofthe invention. FIG. 3 shows an underside view of the top portion.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention. The covers ofthe compartments are hingedly attached to the top portion and proximalto the perimeter of the longitudinal axis of the top portion. The coversare biased to the open position and have a press-release mechanism toopen the cover. This is opened by pressing the release button 30.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to theabovementioned embodiments. For example the storage container mayinclude a third toiletry such as a hygiene solution, diaper container ordiaper disposal packet. To this extent, for the purposes of theinvention, a toiletry is defined as anything associated withfacilitating the cleaning of an infant and the disposal of wasteproducts resulting from such cleaning.

The summary of invention and claims form an integral aspect of thedescription of the invention.

1. An infant toiletry storage container, the container comprising atleast two storage compartments, the compartments having a cover, thestorage compartments are accessible and releasably sealable using asingle-handed release mechanism to open the cover, wherein a disposabletoiletry container is releasably securable within each of the storagecompartments of the storage container.
 2. The infant toiletry storagecontainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each compartment comprises aseparate cover, which is independently accessible and releasablysealable.
 3. The infant toiletry storage container as claimed in claim2, wherein the compartments are substantially watertight when the coveris in a closed position.
 4. The infant toiletry storage container asclaimed in 2, wherein the cover and the compartment releasably engage byany one of a press-release means, a snap-fit means, or a biasing means.5. The infant toiletry storage container as claimed in claim 4,comprising a combination of at least any two of the following:wet-wipes, infant lotion, infant cream, diapers, diaper disposalpackets, hygiene solution or pacifier.
 6. (canceled)